Wicked
Lyrics - "Defying Gravity" and composer's comments
[Photo is of Idina Menzel and the ensemble
singing "Defying Gravity" during the Act I climax of Wicked]
While visiting MusicalSchwartz.com, don't miss these other useful links: Wicked Index Page to over 50 pages about Wicked | Wicked Defying Gravity Sheet Music (and all Wicked songs)
Defying Gravity from Wicked the Musical
About the song Defying Gravity
Notes from Carol de Giere, editor of The Schwartz Scene: Stephen Schwartz planned the first act climax of Wicked in his mind as he conceptualized the musical. He knew he'd write a musical number that expressed Elphaba's shift in perception about the Wizard, and her changed behavior. In the novel it happens quietly. In the musical it would have to be clear and bold. Early in the show's development, he stepped into the character and wrote a version of "Defying Gravity." Idina Menzel learned and sang it in the readings during the development process. It was always an audience thriller, even without any fancy staging. Menzel was able to enhance the song by bringing the final section up an octave from the original pitch Schwartz had written.
GREGORY MAGUIRE'S NOVEL: 
Wicked Musical Tie-in Edition : The Life... [new browser window]
QUESTION posted by "Wicked Lover" on StephenSchwartz.com forum by Stephen Schwartz
Wicked Lover: "I continue to get chills, as I first did in the theater, every time I replay Defying Gravity. It's currently my all-time favorite song from any musical ever. And that's saying something, as I've loved musicals all my life and devour scores for the ones I haven't seen or heard. I can't play piano worth beans, but I read music well and brought the magic show to life in my head long before I finally found the songs recorded.
So my question is - at what point did Defying Gravity come into being? Was it one of the original songs, written from the start? Did it replace an earlier something? I've seen shows evolve and it's interesting how sometimes the best songs are last minute additions to the show. So I'd love to know the history of that one. It's just FANTASTIC. AMAZING. INSPIRING. Tell me all about it!
Answer from Stephen Schwartz: "Dear WICKED lover: Thanks for your message, and obviously, I'm delighted by your enthusiasm for the show. "Defying Gravity" was written fairly early in the writing process and has been in the show since the first reading we did of just the first act in the fall of 2000 (it was written in the summer of 2000.) It is the only song I wrote for the end of the first act (unlike other spots in the show for which I wrote several numbers). The hardest thing about the writing process was arriving at the title, but once I did, the song flowed pretty quickly and easily, and the basic song itself hasn't ever really changed; the lyrics in the final show are the originals, as is the tune and accompaniment. But the surrounding material ("I hope you're happy") evolved over time, and during our readings, Glinda became more involved, as in the chorus where the girls sing in harmony or her line "if we work in tandem", which used to be Elphaba's. (This may be more detail than you wanted, but I thought I would answer fully.) Thanks again for taking the time to write, Stephen Schwartz
Chants Schwartz made up to use before "Defying Gravity" - Levitation Spell:
AHBEN TAHKAY, AHBEN TAHKAY, AHBEN AHTUM
AHBEN TAHKAYAH
ENTAYAH TINFENTAH
AHBEN TAHKAY
Christian Science Monitor review of the Wicked Cast Album: The album's hands-down best number is the liberation anthem "Defying Gravity," when Chenoweth pairs with the almost unimaginable vocal power of Idina Menzel. It simply soars, and stays with you long after the soundtrack ends. [1/13/06]
Lyrics from the Broadway Musical Wicked | (More lyrics pages)
"Defying Gravity"
music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
(Copyright by Stephen Schwartz. Used with permission.)
GLINDA
Why couldn't you have stayed calm, for once! Instead of flying off the handle -- !
I hope you're happy
I hope you're happy now
I hope you're happy how you've
Hurt your cause forever
I hope you think you're clever
ELPHABA
I hope you're happy
I hope you're happy too
I hope you're proud how you would
Grovel in submission
To feed your own ambition
GLINDA & ELPHABA
So though I can't imagine how
I hope you're happy
Right now
GLINDA
Elphie, listen to me. Just say you're sorry!
You can still be with The Wizard
What you've worked and waited for
You can have all you ever wanted -
ELPHABA
I know
But I don't want it - No!
I can't want it anymore
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by
The rules of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes
And leap...
It's time to try defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
And you can't pull me down
GLINDA
Can't I make you understand
You're having delusions of grandeur?
ELPHABA
I'm through accepting limits
Cuz someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try I'll never know
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost
I'd sooner buy defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!
Glinda, come with me. Think of what we could do - together!
Unlimited
Together we're unlimited
Together we'll be the greatest team
There's ever been - Glinda!
Dreams the way we planned 'em
GLINDA
If we work in tandem
GLINDA & ELPHABA
There's no fight we cannot win
Just you and I, defying gravity
With you and I defying gravity
ELPHABA
They'll never bring us down!
Well, are you coming?
(GLINDA decides to stay behind.)
GLINDA
I hope you're happy
I hope your happy now that your choosing this -
ELPHABA
You too--
I hope it brings you bliss
GLINDA & ELPHABA
I really hope you get it
And you don't live to regret it
I hope you're happy in the end
I hope you're happy my friend
ELPHABA
So if you care to find me
Look to the Western sky!
As someone told me lately
Everyone deserves the chance to fly
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who ground me
Take a message back from me!
Tell them how I am defying gravity
I'm flying high, defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renown
And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!!
GLINDA
I hope you're happy
CITIZENS OF OZ
Look at her
She's wicked
Get her!!
ELPHABA
Bring me down!
CITIZENS OF OZ
No one mourns the wicked
So we got to bring her -
ELPHABA
Ahhhh!
CITIZENS OF OZ
--Down!
_________
GET THE MUSIC TOO - Wicked Songbooks details OR
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Praise for "Defying Gravity" and Wicked
From Terri K. of McHenry Illinois
My interest in "Wicked" stems from when I was a child and always wondered why the 'wicked' witch was thought to be so bad - she was the one character that I had always wanted to know more about. I always thought there was more to the story or, at the very least, the winged monkeys wouldn't have stayed with her.
Last year for my birthday, my friend took me to see the show in Chicago. When we left the show, I told my friend that being like Barbie is so passe - if girls want a role model, it should be Elphaba. She is strong, loving, smart, and can do magic, plus at the end, she gets the guy. What more can you ask for? This year, I took my two teenaged daughters to see it. The best part of that experience was seeing each of them identifying with the two witches - one is almost exactly Galinda/Glinda and the other is more like Elphaba. They now have a little more understanding and compassion for the other's point of view due to being able to like both of the witches.
I have to tell you that my favorite song from the show is "Defying Gravity". I love the message of the song, that no matter what anyone says or does, Elphaba is going to live by her own code of conduct, find out what she is really capable of doing, and to make herself happy, not others. It is a very strong and positive message that I have adopted as my own personal 'theme song'.
From Colby of Eagle Grove, Iowa: "What I love about Wicked is the song defying gravity, how she flys in the air. Makes me break into tears everytime..."
From BH of Northridge, California: My interest in Wicked is actually enormous, it is actually the musical that caused me to want to become a musical writer, I was never interested before that, but after I loved it so much and it inspired me so much, I decided that I wanted to do the same for other people. I'm sure everyone says this, or you hear it frequently, but "Defying Gravity" is literally my favorite song ever created, no exaggeration. Now that is a big thing because most people I know, previously myself included, can't even decide what their favorite song is because there are so many good ones, but this is one that surpassed everything I'd ever heard by far. Also, Wicked is my favorite work of art I've ever seen, and I don't say that lightly, I've seen more movies than most people, and seen and performed my fair share of plays, this easily "rises above" any of those, and is truly a beautiful piece of art.
From Erin of Charlotte NC:
A friend introduced me to Wicked around 2 years ago. I listened to the song Defying Gravity, and was completely stirred by shivers, it was phenomenal! I am a die hard Wicked fan! I sat my family down one night to listen to For Good, Defying Gravity and No Good Deed, and my dad whose is so critical, was speechless. It was amazing and nothing would please me more than to be chosen. Thank you! And amazing job!!
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